About us
Train for Change is a small start-up NGO, that is aiming to contribute to empower local professionals and role models in the amazing work that they do. Train for Change was founded because in area’s where it’s most needed, there is often little to no access for local people to get proper training in the professions they’d love to do to uplift their community. Especially in these parts of the world, Train for Change wants to help close the gap of inequality in access to high quality education and mental health care, which is so critical for disadvantaged children that are born in under-resourced and (post)conflict areas.
That’s why Train for Change is training local (aspiring) professionals in the field of education and mental health, so that they can (continue) to make a change in their community. By providing our trainings and sharing knowledge and skills we hope to contribute for them to be actual changemakers. Whether it’s by providing training in how to be a champion teacher, how to be a mental health coach, how to work in a trauma-supportive way, or how to implement certain interventions. Each and every training is designed to empower local professionals and role models in their day-to-day work, to provide them with hands-on skills and knowledge that they can directly apply to the work they do within their community.
But also, making a change doesn’t happen overnight. You need to train for that change. It takes dedication to reach a certain goal; a goal that you can reach once you have certain assets to make that happen: knowledge, tools, skills, practice and experience. During our trainings, those are the things we hand to dedicated
local role models , that are wanting to make a change in the life of the kids, teenagers or adults they work with.
Stichting Train for Change International
Weerdsingel Westzijde 53
3513 BE Utrecht
The Netherlands
kvk-number: 86791354
btw-number: NL864084742B01
RSIN-number: 864084742
Our Team
Our team of trainers plays a crucial role in our efforts. Their expertise, local insight and dedication help build resilient communities for children. Discover more about each of these passionate professionals below.
Thandeka Matshikiza
With a background in forensic psychology and a desire to further specialize in clinical forensic psychology, we are thrilled to have Thandeka as our first local trainer in Lesotho, Southern Africa. She successfully completed her traineeship in May 2024 and has demonstrated her ability to independently conduct our impactful training sessions for groups of local professionals and role models.
Julia Wijnen
With expertise in clinical developmental psychology and education, Julia has crafted the training programs for Train for Change. She delivers these programs to teams across Southern Africa. As Train for Change continues to grow, Julia also manages the traineeships for current and future employees, overseeing their development and related tasks. Additionally, Julia takes on key director responsibilities.
Our Board
Julia Wijnen
Chair(wo)man
Founder of- and trainer for Train for Change
Child psychologist & primary school teacher
ANBI status
In line with Dutch regulation concerning 'ANBI status', we are obligated to publish the following information:
Name organization: Train for Change International
RSIN-number: 864084742
Remuneration policy: The remuneration for the board has been determined in accordance with the 'Beloning Beleidsbepalers' as mentioned on the website of the Dutch tax authority (de Belastingdienst). This means that only the (reasonable) costs incurred are reimbursed and that non-excessive attendance fees are paid. During 2024, no attendance fees will be paid to our board.
Activities Organization: Here you will find a cross-section of all the activities undertaken by Train for Change in the mentioned year.
- Activities Report 2023-2024 (English)
Policy Plan:
- Policy Plan 2024 (Dutch)
`Financial Responsibility:
- Financial Report 2023 (Dutch)
Our partners & friends
